RCPS Community Partner Cafe

Preparing Students for Tomorrow: Science, STEM, and Soft Skills

Are you curious about STEM and science activities in our schools? Today, host Katie LaPira chats with Tammy Stone, the Science, STEM, and Challenge Supervisor for Rockingham County Public Schools. Tammy shares exciting insights into the hands-on learning experiences of RCPS students.
 
From dissecting owl pellets to exploring watershed ecosystems, students of all ages experience captivating activities that bring science to life. Listen in to hear how STEM education isn't confined to the classroom, but extends into engaging programs where students explore the science of cooking, force in motion experiments, and even solar challenges.
 
With a commitment to fostering the next generation of teachers through initiatives in STEM and science, Rockingham County Public Schools ensures students are not only prepared academically but also equipped with essential soft skills for future success.
 
For more from RCPS, check out rcps.net.

Empowering Expression: The Role of Fine Arts in Student Growth

How do the fine arts integrate into the social and brain development of our students? What initiatives does RCPS have that strengthen opportunities for our students? Listen in as host Katie LaPira talks with guest Becky Ford, Supervisor of the Fine Arts for RCPS.
 
Becky shares with Katie about the integral ways that RCPS incorporates the fine arts into student education, and she talks about what kinds of opportunities RCPS students have at each level. Becky and Katie talk about initiatives available to RCPS students such as Any Given Child, and they discuss ways parents and community partners can support the arts and their student.
 
For more about Any Given Child, check out the Kennedy Center website: https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/networks-conferences-and-research/networks-and-strategic-leadership/any-given-child/ For more from RCPS, check out rcps.net.

Unlocking Math Success: Tips to Support Students

Are you wondering about how to help your child with math? Today’s guest Amanda Rickard, Supervisor of Math with Rockingham County Public Schools, joins host Katie LaPira to talk about the new math standards and actionable steps family members can take to support our students in math. 
 
Amanda talks about how math instruction has evolved over time and the benefit of the current approach. Listen in to hear practical tips about ways that you can help the RCPS students in your life to succeed in math. Amanda shares steps students of all levels can take to be successful.

Safety First: The RCPS Approach to Weather-Related Decisions

What happens when weather events cause potential school disruptions? In today’s episode of RCPS Community Partner Cafe, Director of Transportation Chris Sours talks with host Katie LaPira to share what goes into making weather-related decisions for RCPS. Chris gives listeners a glimpse behind the scenes into what happens when weather events impact Rockingham County. 
 
Listen in to hear what makes RCPS unique and how decisions about delays and closures are made when weather impacts travel. As Chris shares, the safety of RCPS students and employees is the focus of every decision made. Learn about the process RCPS uses when determining whether a delay or closure is needed because of weather-related events. 

Taking Successful Next Steps: Insights from RCPS Seniors

How does RCPS help students prepare for their next steps after high school? In this special episode, student host Leo Johnson talks with two RCPS seniors about their plans after high school. Leo, Clayton, and James reflect on their time in RCPS, share what helped them along their current paths, and provide tips for students and parents looking to get more involved.
 
Leo talks with seniors James and Clayton about what each of them plans to do after high school, and they share how they reached those decisions about their career paths. The RCPS seniors also have fun envisioning changes that could enhance the student experience. Don’t miss this outstanding episode featuring three RCPS seniors, and listen in to hear the highlights of their experiences.  

Unlocking Student Potential: How Career Coaches Shape Future Success

What can career coaches do to help RCPS high school students? RCPS career coaches Jessica Baker and Liz Whiston-Dean join Katie LaPira and Donna Delisle to share about how career coaches at the RCPS high schools can support all students with their pathways after high school. 
 
As Liz and Jessica share, they can help students with activities such as identifying interests and career opportunities that align with those interests as well as making future plans, gathering materials for applications, and support with financial aid applications. Jessica and Liz share how parents and guardians can best support students on this journey, and their advice will help make the journey a smooth and empowering one for students. Listen in to hear their tips and how they can best support your student. 

Navigating the Middle & High School Years: Insights for Parents & Guardians

How can we better support our children in middle and high school? In this episode, middle school counselor Laura Ogden and high school counselor Sandy King join Katie and Donna to share about the unique challenges and opportunities that middle and high school students face and how parents and guardians can provide support.
 
Laura and Sandy share insights about these specific time periods for students, and they let us know how we as a community and as individual caretakers can better support the young people going through middle and high school transitions. 

Helping Kids Thrive: Back-to-School Transition Strategies

Are you wondering how to help your elementary school child with school transitions as we settle into a new school year? Listen in to hear RCPS elementary guidance counselor Lindsey Bateman share tips and tricks for parents and family members to use to help our younger children navigate the changes that come with the start of school. 
 
Lindsey shares simple actions caretakers can take to help our elementary school students with their emotions and with socialization. Just by assisting young children in identifying their emotions, openly sharing our own feelings, and reassuring children of all ages that it's perfectly normal to experience any emotion they're feeling, we can significantly aid them during times of change.
 
Lindsey reminds us that families are the first teachers, and we can make a positive difference for our children during transitions and throughout the school year. Listen in to hear practical tips! 

The Cognitive Edge: Nurturing Your Child’s Brain Potential

What can parents and caregivers do to help students enhance their cognitive abilities? Although learning about the brain can be complex, the steps parents and caregivers can take to help with cognitive development can be quite simple.
 
RCPS school psychologist Dr. Phil Wickline shares with host Donna DeLisle about cognitive functioning, developing background knowledge, inspiring creativity, and considering the impact of technology. Donna and Phil discuss what parents can do to help support optimal cognitive abilities and brain development for their children. Phil also shares about the role anxiety can play when it comes to learning and shares simple steps parents can take to help kids manage anxiety.

Meet the New Superintendent: The First 100 Days with Dr. Larry Shifflett

What will the first one hundred days look like with the new RCPS superintendent, Dr. Larry Shifflett? In episode 5 of RCPS Community Partner Café, your host Katie LaPira talks with Dr. Shifflett about his plans for the first one hundred days in his time as the new superintendent of Rockingham County Public Schools.
 
Dr. Shifflett shares about his plan, which focuses on excellence, integrity, and inclusion of all students. He also shares about the four goals he has for the '23-'24 school year and beyond and the ways that he plans to involve all RCPS partners in that planning. Listen in to hear Dr. Shifflett’s plans and goals for the RCPS community during this transition. 
 
More information about the plan can be found at https://www.rcps.net/en-US/superintendent-e41f0da9.